Q. I am submitting a request to a local agency in Carroll County, Maryland about a land development project being proposed for my neighborhood. How long does it have to reply to my request?

A. The short answer is 30 days. If the agency needs more than 10 business days, however, it must notify the requester in writing or by email. The notice must tell the requester how much time it will take to produce the record, the reason for the delay, and an estimate of the range of fees that might be involved in producing the record. For additional information, see this guidance from the Maryland Attorney General.